Poems

Ivan Head: The Compost Heap

Ivan Head

The Compost Heap The compost heap lay steaming like a large beast, exhausted and stretched out on the ground. It is still breathing, visibly exhaling as it loses form in giving itself back to the earth. It is also the cow collapsing, drawn into the weight of the earth. A multitude of brown leaves and shredding returns to soil. The pitchfork goes through the pile. He also takes the spade to it and tosses the heap closer to the line of pines. The animal moves one last time. I think it was McAuley who said that from the…